Judi Dench News

Eddie Izzard will take the New York stage this winter for six weeks only, playing 23 characters in William Shakespeare's Hamlet, adapted by Mark Izzard and directed by Selena Cadell at off-Broadway's Greenwich House Theater (27 Barrow Street) from January 25-March 3; opening night is February 11.

The Lowry in Salford has launched its annual Festive Appeal, which raises money for the organisation's work with young people.

MGCfutures has announced that Emma Corrin becomes a patron, joining Judi Dench, Dawn French, Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, Daniel Radcliffe, Simon Russell Beale, Sheridan Smith, Aidan Turner, David Walliams and Ben Whishaw who already support the work of the charity.

British actor Joss Ackland has died at the age of 95, his family said in a statement. 

There were so many interesting elements, that the reader will surely allow us to break from our usual three-medal article, in order to included every reason why you should be watching this show.

There are plenty of Shakespeare books on the market already, it’s true – but there aren’t many out there quite like this one. Originally intended to be a series of conversations between Judi Dench and her friend & colleague Brendan O’Hea for the Globe’s archives, it became apparent that there was more than enough material to build an enlightening and entertaining book.

Raghuvir Joshi’s international debut feature ‘Sahela’ executive produced by Dev Payel is set to make its South Asia premiere at Jio MAMI Mumbai International Film Festival 2023. Inspired by real events, the film explores the challenges faced by a married couple when the husband comes out as gay.

There are meaty themes, moments of humour and insight, and the standard of professionalism you’d expect from a Royal Shakespeare Company production first staged in Stratford in 2013 and now playing at the Lyric Hammersmith. But somehow Tanika Gupta’s script doesn’t quite take off.

The BBC is celebrating this extraordinary anniversary with an ambitious season of content across TV, Radio, BBC iPlayer & BBC Sounds exploring why, 400 years on, Shakespeare's relevance and influence is as strong as ever. A wealth of programming featuring major actors and leading experts, including new documentaries, performance, music, drama, comedy, news coverage and the best of the BBC archive, as well as special items on flagship BBC shows, will celebrate the man, his world and his timeless writing.

Following the unforgettable all-star gala performance to celebrate the life and work of the great Stephen Sondheim at the theatre named after him in May 2022, Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, will play until 6 January 2024 at the Gielgud Theatre with many of that Gala cast.

Genius is an overused term these days, but there is really no other word to attribute to the late composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim. From Follies, to Gypsy, to A Little Night Music to West Side Story; few other people have had such a profound impact on musical theatre.

The Mono Box’s extensive play and audio monologue libraries to be donated to Northern Academy of Performing arts, Powerhouse, Theatre503 and Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust. Learn more about the collection here!

Steve Coogan will lead the first ever adaption of Stanley Kubrick’s iconic work, as the world premiere stage production of Kubrick’s timeless classic Dr. Strangelove prepares to open in the West End in Autumn 2024. Learn more about the production and how to get tickets here!

Dame Judi Dench is making her panto debut as the voice of the Magic Mirror in Snow White at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.

The Japan Art Association and Lord Patten of Barnes, Praemium Imperiale’s International Advisor in the UK, have announced the recipients of the 2023 Praemium Imperiale Awards. Learn more about the winners here!

We're falling into fall with a great Broadway read! This season, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 21 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's fall reading list.

The North American Tour of the Tony Award®-winning Best Musical Moulin Rouge! The Musical will welcome Gabrielle McClinton as Satine, Christian Douglas as Christian, Robert Petkoff as Harold Zidler, Sarah Bowden as Nini and Danny Burgos as Santiago beginning Wednesday, September 27 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh.  

Legendary British writer, broadcaster, ex-MP and TV star Gyles Brandreth launches his new podcast Rosebud on September 1 – St Giles’s Day. In this new series, Gyles will talk to famous and fascinating people about their first memories and first experiences.

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has announced principal casting for the world premiere of I'm Sorry, Prime Minister, I Can't Quite Remember. Martin Jarvis will play ex-Prime Minister Jim Hacker and Clive Francis will play his former Permanent Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby. They are joined by Michaela Bennison who will play Hacker's carer Sophie and Christopher Bianchi as High Court judge Sir David Knell.

The Shaw Society, the UK-based charitable organisation dedicated to celebrating the theatre and writings of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, proudly announces the election of two esteemed theatre icons, Dame Sian Phillips and Patricia Hodge OBE, as Trustees.